Jason Bateman

Actor, Director

Before graduating to play conniving adults on television and in R-rated comedies, actor Jason Bateman established himself as a welcomed shot of vinegar to the sugary sweet "Silver Spoons" (NBC, 1982-87) at the same time ... Read more »

Before graduating to play conniving adults on television and in R-rated comedies, actor Jason Bateman established himself as a welcomed shot of vinegar to the sugary sweet "Silver Spoons" (NBC, 1982-87) at the same time sister Justine Bateman starred on "Family Ties" (NBC, 1982-89). Having literally grown up before the cameras, Bateman made a forgettable film debut in "Teen Wolf Too" (1987) and was the eldest son on "Valerie/The Hogan Family" (NBC/CBS, 1986-1991). Making a seamless transition from teen actor to adult, he continued his career on the small screen as a likeable straight man on a number of other sitcoms and television movies until launching a comeback of sorts with his starring turn as the straight-laced son of a wildly dysfunctional family on the cult hit "Arrested Development" (Fox, 2003-06). Bateman continued his career rejuvenation with a turn as a musician-turned-yuppie in the hit comedy "Juno" (2007), while landing supporting roles in major studio films like "Hancock" (2008) and "State of Play" (2008). Following "Up in the Air" (2009), he starred in a number of hit comedies including "The Switch" (2010), "The Change-Up" (2011) and "Horrible Bosses" (2011) and its 2014 sequel, while establishing himself as a director with the dark comedy "Bad Words" (2013) and "The Family Fang" (2015) and starring in the animated hit "Zootopia" (2016). Because of his late career resurgence, Bateman proved that talent and perseverance would always win out in the end.

Directed son on episodes of "Valerie's Family" (NBC, CBS); produced "Teen Wolf Too" (1987) and "Breaking the Rules" (1992), which starred son Jason; served as supervising producer on the telefilm "Can You Feel Me Dancing?" (NBC, 1986) starring Justine with Jason; founded a repertory stage company in Hollywood with son and daughter

Cast as the orphaned James Cooper adopted by Michael Landon on NBC's "Little House on the Prairie"

Cast in first film at age 10 after accompanying a friend to an audition

Co-starred in comedy "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story"

Bateman grew up in an industry family as the son of film and TV producer/director Kent Bateman and younger brother of "Family Ties" actress Justine Bateman.

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An avid racecar driver, Bateman won the celebrity portion of the Long Beach Grand Prix in 1987.

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Bateman directed his first episode of "The Hogan Family" at the age of 18, making him the youngest new member of the Directors Guild of America.

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During a downturn in his career in the 1990s, Bateman struggled with alcohol and drug addictions.

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"I don’t look for Jason Bateman vehicles. I played a ton of team sports growing up, and team wins are just incredibly gratifying. Guys like Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Sacha Baron Cohen, they do things you love to watch. I like to do the other half." -- New York Times, June 30, 2011